Fabric guiding device



June 14, 1966 R. w. slMMoNs FABRIC GUIDING DEVICE Filed sept. 23, v1984 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 W INVENT RE/D W VMMoA/s BYM June 14, 1966 R.w.s1MM0Ns 3,255,650

FABRIC GUIDING DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 14, 1966 R. w. slMMoNs FABRIC GUIDING D EVIGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1.964

INVENTOR RE/D W S/MMo/vs BYM/'d ATTORNEY5 Rx 'ai 3,255,650 FABRIC GUHDING DEVICE Reid W. Simmons, 1500 SW. 4th Court, Boca Baton, Fla.;

Vernette W. Simmons, execuu'ix of said Reid W. Simmons, deceased Filed Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 398,671 11 Claims. (Cl. 83-66) This invention relates to improvements in fabrc guiding devices.

In the handling of pile fabrc as it moves through various stages of processing, 'it is desirable, and in some instances imperative, that the fabric be maintained in accurate alignment parallel to the direction of flow. For example, terry cloth toweling is usually woven in multiple widths on the loom, and thereafter cut and hemmed to provide a number of individual towels. It is obvious that a fabrc guide must be utilized in order to provide towels of a uniforrn size from a single multiple width length of terry cloth.

This invention is specifically designed for use in connection with the guiding of the class of pile fabrc which includes an elongated strip without pile, pile extending along each side of such elongated strip in a raised position above the surface of the fafbric hacking exposed in such elongated strip, the line extending to one side of such elongated strip being substantially parallel to the line -of pile extending along the other side thereof, and in which such elongatedstrip is provided with the longitudinal axis thereof extending in a line generally parallel to the direction of movement of the pile fabrc. In some pile fabrics, such as terry cloth used for toweling, the pile thereof extends to each face 'of the fabric backing thereof and eoextensive elongated strips are provided on each face of the fabrc hacking.

As used herein, the term pile fabrc denotes fabric that exhibits a difference in thickness of the material along a line parallel to the direction of flow.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a fabric guiding device for pile fabrc of the class described in guiding the same in alignment parallel to the direction of flow of the fabric in various stages of processing of the fabn'c.

A further object is the provision of a fabrc guiding device for pile fabrc of the class described in which the fabrc guiding device includes guide means mounted in a fixed position with respect to the direction of flow of the fabrc and in juxtaposition for sliding guiding abutment with an elongated strip of the pile fabrc.

A further object is the provision of a fabrc guiding device for pile fabrc of the class described in which the fabrc guiding deviceincludes guide means having side portions positioned for sliding guiding a=butment with the line of pileextending to each side of an elongated stn'p and in which such guide means is constructed to permit such slide portions to flex toward and away from each other in accommodating slight variations in the width of an elongated strip.

A further object is the provision lof a fabrc guiding device for pile fabrc of the class described in which such fabric guiding device includes guide means having a face thereof in sliding guiding abutment with the fabric hacking an elongated strip of the pile fabrc, such face of the guide means having a slotted portion juxtaposed with respect to the. direction of flow of the pile fabrc to permit unfolding of any longitudinally extend-` ing creases of the pile fabrc in the fabric hacking of an elongated strip.

A further object is the provision of a fabrc guiding device for pile fabrc of the class described having an elongated strip on one side thereof coextensive with an 3,255,650 Patented June 14, 1966 ice elongated strip to the other side thereof and in which the fabrc guiding device includes a first and second guide member, one guide member being in sliding guiding abutment with an elongated .strip of one side of the pile fabric and the other being in sliding guiding abutment with an elongated strip of one side of the pile fabrc and the other being in sliding guiding abutment with the elongated strip of the other side of the pile fabrc which is coextensive therewith, one guide member being in a fixed position and the other guide member being vertically movable with respect thereto for the accommodation of pile fabric therebetween.

A further object is the provision of a fabrc guiding device for pile fabric of the class described in which the fabrc guiding device is mounted directly on the frame of the apparatus of a further stage of processing of the pile fabrc, the fabrc guiding device being associated With various switch means for operation of the further processing apparatus in cooperation with the 'fabrc guiding device.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be -apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, formng a portion of this specification, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 s a side view of my improved fabrc guiding device mounted in juxtaposition for cooperation with further processing apparat'us of the pile fabrc.

FIG. 2 is a Vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a Vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. .5 is .1a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side 'view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, the fabrc guiding device thereof being shown in a different position than that of the 'fabrc guiding device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a modified form of guide member of my improved fabrc guiding device.

FIG. 8.is an enlarged transverse sectional'view taken substantiallyon the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a further modified form of guide member of my improved fabn'c guiding device.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a 'modified form of pile fabric guiding device, showing the same independently mounted.

FIG. 12 is a Vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the fabrc 'guiding device of FIG. 11.

In the drawings, wheren for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred and modified embodments of the invention, and wheren similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may generally designate the form of invention as shown in FIGS. 1-6; B, the form of invention shown in FIGS. 7 and '8; C, the form of invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10; and D, the form of invention shown in FIGS. 11-13.

My improved fabrc guiding device has been efiiectively used in the making of terry cloth towels from multiple width terry cloth toweling. In this application of the invention, the fabrc guiding device is associated with a cutter and hemming machines for alignment of the fabrc and guiding of the same for proper Cutting of the terry cloth toweling and into the hemming machnesewhich are located immediately behind the cutter. The, operative relationship of the guiding device and cutter is shown in form A of the invention.

Fragments of a pile fabric of the class for which my improved fabn'c guiding device has been specifically designed are shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. As illustrated, the pile fabric preferably includes a fabric backing 5, pile portions 6 and 7, each of which may eXtend outwardly from each face of the fabric backing 5, coextensive elongated strips 8 without pile eXtending between pile portions 6 and 7, a pile edge 9 of pile portion 6 extending along one side of each elongated strip 8, and a pile edge 'of pile portion 7 extending along the opposite side of each elongated strip 8 from pile edge 9. Pile edges 9 and 10 extend in a raised position above fabric hacking 5 exposed in elongated strips 8, with pile edge 9 being substantially parallel to pile edge 10.

Such pile fabric is woven so that the longitudinal axes of coextensive elongated strips 8 `will be parallel to the direction of movement of the pile fabric through the various processing steps. After the same leaves the loom, such as when the same is Wound on rolls, some misalignment may occur so that such longitudinal axes are no longer parallel to the direction of movement of the pile fabric. It is to correct such misalignment which is the function of my invention, my improved guiding device acting to guide the coextensive strips 8 and the pile fabric of which they are a part in a manner so that the longitudinal axes are aligned to eXtend in direction parallel to the direction of movement of the pile fabric.

In form A of the invention I have shown a frame including a base 16 and upright member 17; guide means 18 including a lower guide member 19, upper guide member 20, mounting means 21 for support of guide member on upright member 17 in a vertically movable position With respect to guide member 19, lever means 22 for Vertical raising and lowering of guide member 20 with respect to guide member 19; cutter means 23 mounted on upright member 17 and including motor means 24 and a cutter blade 25; switch means 26 mounted on upright member 17 in juxtaposition to cooperate with guide means 18 in activation and deactivation of motor means 24; and switch means 27 mounted on frame 15.

Base 16 preferably includes an elongated base plate 30, an intermediate base member 31, and a fabric supporting plate 32.

Base plate 30 may be of any convenient size, extending longitudinally of the apparatus, for mounting of the same on an appropriate support (not shown). An elongated lug may be provided adjacent one end of base plate member 30, providing for facile attachment thereto of lower guide member 19, in a fiXed position, as shown in FIG. 6 and as will be subsequently described.

Intermediate base member 31 extends longitudinally along base plate 30, being fixedly interconnected there- With. Base member 31 has a slot 36 adjacent lug 35 of base plate member 30, slot 36 cooperating with lug 35 in securing lower guide member 19 in a fiXed position on frame 15. Intermediate base member 31 likewise provides support for rigid interconnection of upright member 17 to base 16. Intermediate member 36 is tapered at one end thereof, adjacent guide means 18, as shown in FIG. 1, for a purpose which will subsequently be described.

Fabric supporting plate 32 may be sectonal, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the same being secured to intermediate base member 31 such as by screws 37. As shown in FIG. 4, fabric supporting plate 32 may include a centrally disposed slot 38 for receiving cutter blade 25 of cutter means 23. Fabric supporting plate 32 is, as the name implies, provided for the supporting of fabric as it moves through guide means 18 and cutter means 23.

Upright standard 17 preferably includes a leg portion 40 which is fixedly interconnected to base 16, a central portion 41 and a hook-like portion 42 at the end of central portion 41 opposite leg portion 40.

Each guide member 19 and 20 preferably comprises an elongated body portion having a face portion 46, a mounting face 47 opposite face portion 46 for attachment thereof as a part of guide means 18, as will be subsequently described, end portions 48 and 49, and a pair of side portions 50 and 51, side portions 50 and 51 extending longitudinally parallel to one another adjacent end 48, as at 52, and converging toward one another adjacent end 49, as at 53, all as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, as an elongated strip of pile fabric moves into abutment with a guide member, under a condition of misalignment of the longitudinal axis of an elongated strip 8 in other than a generally parallel extension with respect to the direction of movement thereof, the converging portion 53 of side portion 50 will first slidably abut line of pile 10 extending to one side of elongated strip 8 and guide such elongated strip 8 into alignment parallel with the direction of direction of the pile fabric, with the longitudinally parallel portions 52 of side portions 50 and 51 in respective slidable abutment with line of pile 9 and line of pile 10 extending to each side of elongated strip 8. The pile fabric is thus aligned for movement to cutter means 23.

Guide members 19 and 20 are directly opposed to one another, and althoug'h only guide member 20 is shown in FIG. 5, it will be obvious that the pile fabric moves into guiding abutment with :and is guided in the same manner by guide member 19 as illustrated with respect to guide member 20.

It is not imperative that face portions 46 of guide members 19 and 20 abut the fabric backing exposed in each coextensive elongated strip 8 since the guiding action is attained through contact of the line of pile at each side thereof with side portions 50 and 51. Accordingly, since the weight of the fabric is in the direction of guide member 19 it is possible to provide for only partial extension thereof above fabric supporting plate 32 so that the fabric will move along the angularly extending end thereof attached to the tapered portion of intermediate base member 31 to a horizontal plane as it moves through cutter means 23. It is, of course, obvious that the height of each side portion 50 and 51 of guide member 19 which will be required to abut the line of pile fabric to each side of elongated strip 8 will to some extent, be dependent upon the depth of the pile of the pile fabric.

Mounting face 47 of lower guide member 19 is provided with -a recessed portion 54 which interfits over lug 35 of base plate member 30, fitting within slot 36 of intermediate base members 31, as shown in FIG.. 2, and secured in a fixed position on base 16 such 'as by screws 55.

Mounting face 47 of guide member 20 may be provided with a slot 57 for reeciving a lug 58 of slide block 65, and an upstanding flange portion 59 for fixed attachment thereof to slide block 56 such as by a screw 60.

Guide member 20 thus is mounted on slide block 56, which slide block is operatively interconnected with mounting means 21 and lever means 22 in juxtaposition for vertic-al movement of guide member 20 toward and away from guide member 19.

Mounting means 21 preferably includes a body portion 65 which is fixedly attached to central portion 41 of upright standard 17 such as by bolts 67. Body portion 65 includes a vertically extending slotted guide 68 which slidably receives therewithin slide block 56 and slotted guides 69 are provided adjacent each side of guide slot 68.

Received within guide slots 69 are a pair of -slide members 72 having a flange 73 at one end thereof. A slide member 72 extends adjacent each side of slide block 56 and is attached at the opposite end thereof from flange 73 to a cross bar 75. Cross bar 75 is connected adjacent each end thereof to upright member 17 by bolts 76, a spring 77 being provided on each bolt 76. One end of Springs 77 abuts against upright member 17 and the other end thereof abuts cross bar 75 in juxtaposition to urge cross bar 75 into close fitting abutment with the heads of bolts 76. Fl'ange 73 of slide member 72 is provided for abutment with lever means 22 in adjusting the spacing of upper guide member 20 a predetermined Vertical spaced apart distance from lower guide member 19, a-s will be subsequently described.

A's previously noted, slide block 56 is mounted for vertical movement within guide slot 68 of member 65. Spring 80 is mounted for abutment at one end thereof with upright member 17 and abutment at the other end thereof with slide block 56 in juxtaposition to urge upper guide member 20 toward lower guide member 19.

Lever means 22 preferably includes a plurality of lever arms 85 attached at one end thereof 'to upright member 17 and at the other end thereof to slide block 56 in 'a conventional lever arrangement to providefor straight line Vertical movement of lslide block 56 within guide slot 68 of member 65. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the uppermost lever arm 85 of lever means 22, at the point of adjoinment thereof with slide block 56, is preferably positioned for abutment yagainst fiange 73 of member 72. Thus, when it is desired to space' guide member 20 from guide member 19, for free fiow of fabric'therebetween without .abutment thereof with the fabric hacking of the elongated strip, bolts 76 are loosened, which raises member 72, raising the flange 73 thereof into abutment with the specified lever arm 85, which will position upper guide member 20 so that it will be in a spaced apart relationship from lower guide member 19.

A lever 86 is pivotally mounted on frame 17, such a's by .pivotal interconnection 87, one end thereof extending outwardly from frame 17 -and the other end thereof being positioned for abutment against lever arms 85 in juxtaposition whereby downward pressure upon lever 86 will lift upper guide member 20 vertically away from lower guide member 19.

Cutter means 23 preferably includes a frame member 90 secured in a fixed position upon upright member 17, motor means 24 being mounted on frame 90. Cutter blade 25 is 'also preferably mounted for cutting rotation on frame 90, cutter blade 25 depending, as previously specified within slot 38 of fabric supporting plate 32. A 'belt 91 may be provided for driving interconnection between cutter blade 25 and motor means 24.

Switch means 26 preferably includes a main switch body portion 93 having an activating lever 95 with a cont'act lug 96 at one end thereof. Switch 93 is mounted on upright member 17 by an L-shaped member 97 which is vertically slidable upon rod member 98 by movement of -screws 99 and 100.

Switch means 26 is provided with contact member lug 96 thereof adjacent mounting face 47 of guide member 20. In some instances, such as in pa-ssage of a transversely extending seam of the pile fabric between guide members 19 and' 20, sufficient separation of the guide members to cause them to ride out of the elongated strip of the pile fabric mayoccur. In such instances, it is of course, desirable to shut off the equipment so that the fabric will not become misaligned. Switch contact 96 is vertically spaced apart from mounting face 47 of upper guide member 20 so that when separation of the guide members occurs as above noted, mounting face 47 of guide member 20 will abut against contact 96, activating switch 93, which cuts off motor means 24. It is likewise obvious that such switch means 93 may be operattively interconnected with the apparatus (not shown) which draws the pile fabric through the guide means and processing apparatus. The mounting member 97 of switch means 26 by means of slide rod 98 and screws 99 and 100 permits Vertical adjustment of the spacing apart of contact 96 from mounting face 47 of upper guide member 20 so that activation of switch 93 will occur only vunder certain specified conditions of separation of guide members 19 and 20.

Switch means 27 is preferably mounted on frame 17 by a boom arm 102, extending in a direction away from the fiow of material through guide means 18. Switch means 27 preferably includes a switch 105 having an activating lever aim 106 provided with a shoe 107. In some instances, seams in the pile fabric may be so poorly made that they will not enter between guide members 19 and 20. If this occurs, the material would be torn, or continued pulling of the material could burn out the motor of ythe winding device which was pulling the lmaterial through the guide means and f'urther processing apparatus. Switch means 27 is provided with shoe 107 which rides along the pile fabric and, when the same is lifted up by such a poorly made seam, the switch 105 will be activated, the same being interconnected with motor means 24, and preferably with the remainder of the processing apparatus for shutting down the complete operation.

Also mounted on frame 90 may be a transfonmer 108 and a relay 109, interconnected in a conventional manner with switch means 26 and 27 so that such switch means may be operable with a lower voltage than is necessary v for operation of motor means 24, providing a safety factor in the event that a short circuit should occur in such switch means.

In the operation of my improved fabric guiding device, the operator will push on lever 86, raising guide member 20 in a spaced apart position from guide member 19. .Pile fabric is then fed between guide members 19 and 20, in juxtaposition' so that the line of pile fabric to each side of each elongated strip 8 will abut against the res-peot-ive side portions 50 and 51 of guide members 19 and 20, and guide member 20 is then lowered toward guide member 19 to the desired spaced apa-rt position therefrom. In some instances it may be desirable for-the respective face portions 46 of guide members 19 and 20 to slidably abut against the fabric hacking exposed in coextensive elongated strips 8, and under this condition,

flange 73 of member 72 would be lowered to permit movement of lever arms 85 for lowering of slide block 56, the same being urged by spring 80 toward guide member 19, into a position whereby each face portion 46 of each guide member 19 and 20 would slidably abut against the fabric backing exposed in the coextensive elongated strips 8.

Under certain other conditions of fabric flow through the guide means 18, such as when the same is to be Wound upon a roll, -it is desirable to provide for free fiow of pile fabric through the guide means, eliminating as much frict-ion as possible, preferably positioning face portions 46 of each guide member 19 and 20 out of abutment with the fabric hacking exposes in coextensive elongated strips 8. 'Under these conditions, flange 73 of member 72 is raised into abutment with the upper lever arm 85 in juxtaposition to hold slide block 56 in a predetermined position, against the urging of spring 80.

After 'guide members 19 and 20 have been positioned in the desired spaced apart relationship, switch means 26 is positioned, by movement of contact lug 96, in a predeter'm-ined spaced apart position from mounting base 47 of guide member 20.

The material is then fed through the guide means, by activation of a conventional fabric winding mechanism (not shown), through cutter means 23 and thence to the hemming machines (not shown). Switch means 26 and 27 will operate as previouslydescribed.

Forms B and C of the invention comprse modified forms of guide members which may be utilize'd. In forms B and C of the invention I have shown guide members a part of guide means 18, end portions 48a and 49a, and a pair of side portions 50a and 51a, side portions 50a and 51a extending longitudinally parallel to one another adjacent end 48a, as at 52a, and converging toward one another adjacent end 49a, as at 53a. Mounting face 47a of guide member 20a may be provided with a slot 57a for receiving a lug 58 of slide block 56, and an upstanding fiange portion 59a for fixed attachment thereof to slide block 56. An elongated slot 110 is provide-d on face portion 46a.

Certain types of pile fabrics, as they come from a drier, have sharp overlapped creases which tend to form in the fabric backing which is exposed in elongated strips 8, such creases frequently running parallel to the line of pile adjacent each side of elongated strips 8 and occurring near the longitudinal axes of elongated strips 8. When a crease of this type enters between the guide members of my improved fabric device, it sometimes fails to flatten out, raising the upper guide member into abutment with contact lug 96 of switch means 26, which cuts the entire apparatus ofi. By p'rovision of an elongated slotin the face of the guide member, a space is provided for straightening of the crease, so that pressure of the side por-tions 50a and 51a of the guide member against the line of pile adjacent each side of elongated strips B is sufiicient to unfold the crease within the elongated slot 110.v

Form C of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, includes a guide member 20b having an elongated body portion provided with a central body portion 112 and side body portions 113 and 114, an elongated slot 115 extendting between central body portion 112 and each side body portion 113 and 114, from one end of guide member 20b to adjacent the other end thereof where the respective lbody portions are joined together in a manner to provide a hinge-like interconnection of side members 113 and 114` with central body portion 112 so that side body portions 113 and 114 may flex to-ward and away from central body portion 112.

The elongated body portion of guide member 20b has-a face portion 46h, a mounting face 47b opposite face portion 46b for attachment thereof as a part of guide means 18, end 'portions 48h, and a pair of side portions 50h and 51h, side portions 50b and 51ID extending longitudinally parallel to one another adjacent end 48h, as at 52h, and converging toward one another adjacent end 49h, as at 53h. Mounting face 47b of guide member 20b maybe provided with a slot 57b for receiving a lug 58 of slide block 56, and an upstanding fiange portion 59b for fixed attachment thereof to slide block 56, as has been previously described.

As the guide members of my fabric guiding device move along coextensive elongated strips 8, certain minor variations 'in the width of such elongated strips may occur. In the provision of a guide member 20'b having side portions which may flex inwardly and outwardly from one another, slight variations in the width of elongated strips of the pile fabric may be readily accommodated.

Form D of the invention comprises a modified form of fabric guiding device which is constructed to be maintained independently of interconnection with any further processing apparatus. Form D will be useful when further processing apparatus is not of a form which may be readily adapted to interconnection therewith of a fabric guiding device, when it may not be desirable to interconnect the fabric guiding device, when it may not be desirable to interconnect the fabric guiding device to any further processing apparatus, or when a long run of pile fabric is to be guided intermediate separate processing Operations.

The fabric guiding device of form D of the invention is substantially identical to the fabric guiding device of form A, and identical reference characters, with a prime Character added, have been applied to corresponding parts of form D.

Form D of the invention preferably includes a frame `having a base 121, upright standards 122, brace members 123, and a central member 124; and guide means 18' including a lower guide member 19', upper guide member 20', mounting means 21' for support of guide member 20' on central member 124 in a vertically movable position with respect to guide member 19', and

lever means 22' for Vertical raising and lowering of guide member 20' with respect to guide member 19'.

Base 121 may be of any convenient size for mounting of the same on an appropriate support (not shown), the upper face portion of base 121 serving as a support for the pile fabric as it moves through the fabric guiding device. An elongated lug 35' may be provided centrally of base 121, extending upwardly from the face 139 thereof, providing for facile attachment thereto of lower guide member 19', in a fixed position, in the same manner as was previously described in connection with guide member 19 of form A of the invention.

Upright standards 122 are interconnected to base 121 such as by bolts 132 and brace members 123 are interconnected to central member 124 such as by bolts 133.

Guide members 19' and 20' are identical to guide members 19 and 26 of form A of the invention, and identical reference characters with a prime Character added have been applied thereto.

Mounting face 47' of guide member 20' may be provided with a slot 57' for `receiving a lug 58' of slide block 56', and an upstanding fiange portion 59' for fixed attachment thereof to slide block 56', such as by a screw 60'.

Guide member 20' is thus mounted on slide block 56', which slide block is operatively interconnected with mounting means 21' and lever means 22' in juxtaposition ,for Vertical movement of guide member 20' toward and away from guide member 19'.

Mounting means 21' preferably includes a body portion 65' which is fixedly attached to central frame member 124 by bolts 133. Body portion 65' slidably supports slide block 56' in the same manner as previously described with respect to body portion 65 of form A.

Received within guide slots 69' are a pair of slide members 72"having a fiange 73' at one end thereof. A slide member 72' extends adjacent each side of slide block 56' and is provided at the opposite end thereof from fiange 73' with a plurality of openings which may receive a locking lpin 136. Flange 73' of slide member 72' is provided for abutment with lever means 22' in adjusting the spacing of upper guide member 20' a predetermined Vertical spaced apart distance from lower guide member 19', as will be subsequently described.

Spring 80' is mounted for abutment at one end thereof with central frame member 124 and abutment at the other end thereof with slide block 56' in juxtaposition to urge upper lguide member 20' toward lower guide member 19'.

Lever means 22' preferably includes a plurality of lever arms 85' attached at one end thereof to central frame member 124 and at the other end thereof to slide block 56' in a conventional lever arrangement to provide for straight line vertical movement of slide block 56' in the same manner as previously described with respect to form A. The uppermost lever arm 85' of lever means 22', at the point of adjoinment thereof with slide block 56' is preferably positioned for abutment against fiange 73' of member 72'. Thus, when it is desired to space guide member 19', such as is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, lever means 22' is actuated, raising slide block 56', pin 136 is removed, slide members '72' are vertically raised into the desired position for abutment against upper lever arm 85' and pin 136 is inserted through corresponding slots 135 of each slide member 72', holding the. same in this raised position.

A lever 86' is pivotally mounted on central frame member 124, such as by pivotal interconnection 87', one end thereof extending outwardly from central frame portion 124 and the other end thereof being positioned for abutment against lever arms S' in juxtaposition whereby downward pressure upon lever 86' will lift upper guide member 20' vertically away from lower 'guide member 19'.

As illustrated, optimum performance of my mproved fabric guiding device is obtained in connection with pile fabric of the class descrihed having an elongated strip on one side thereof. It is, however, within the scope of this invention to provide for the guiding of a |pile fabric having an elongated strip to only one side thereof by the obvious expedient of, for instance, elimination of the lower guide member of the illustrated fabric guiding de- VlCe.

It is likewise obvious that this invention covers fabric processing Operations which are the reverse of those described. That is, in which the processing apparatus is guided with respect to fabric fiow, rather than the' fabric being guided with respect to the processing apparatus. In such instance, as is obvious, and using the cutter means illustrated as an example, the guide means Would he fixedly attached to the cutter means, which cutter means would be mounted on a frame in juxtaposition to freely move to follow an elongated strip of the pile fabric of the class descrihed, with the fabric either moved therethrough, or the fabric stationary and the cutter means moved along the fabric to be cut.

It is, of course, obvious that this invention is not limited to use only in connection with further fabric processing means such as the cutter means illustrated. As described, the further processing of the fabric with which the fabric guiding device may he associated includes any and all handling of the fabric and is not limited to the further performance of some actual operation on the fabric. For instance, the fabric guiding device has proven extremely useful in the proper winding of fabric on rolls.

Various changes in the shape, size 'and arrangement of parts may be made to the forms of invention heren shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In the guiding oftpile fabric as it moves in a predetermined direction for the performance of further manufacturing steps with respect thereto and in which the pile fabric is of the class having an elongated strip without pile, pile extending along each side of such elongated strip in a raised position above the surface of the fabric hacking exposed in such elongated strip, the line of pile extending to one side of such elongated strip being substantially parallel to the line of pile extending along the other side thereof, and in which such elongated strip is provided with the longitudinal aXis thereofextending in a line generally parallel to the direction of movement of the pile fabric, a guiding device cooperatively interacting in guiding abutment with said elongated strip of said pile fabric in maintaining the longitudinal axis of said elongated 'strip parallel to the direction of movement of said pile fabric during movement of said pile fabric in a predetermined direction, said guiding device including a frame, guide means, mounting means for attachment of said guide means to said frame in juxtaposition for sliding guiding abutment thereof within said elongated strip of said pile fabric, said guide means including a body having a central member and a pair of spaced apart side members, each said side member having arside portion, said side portions being spaced apart from one another in juxtaposition so that said side portion of each said side member slidably abuts a line of pile extending to one side of said elongated strip of said Ipile fabric, each said side member being attached to said central member in a spring-like manner so that each said side member may fiex inwardly and outwardly toward and away from said central member in juxtaposition to accommodate slight variations in the width of said elongated strip, said body including a face portion extending between said side portions in juxtaposition for slidahle abutment with the fabric hacking exposed in said elongated strip of said pile fabric.

2. In the guiding of pile fabric as it moves in a predetermined direction for the performance of further manufacturing steps with respect thereto and in which the pile fabric is of the class having pile extending outwardly from each face of the fabric hacking thereof and an elongated strip without pile on each face of the fabric hacking of the pile fabric, the elongated strip on'one face of the fabric hacking being coextensive with the elongated strip on the other face of the fabric hacking, pile extending along each side of each elongated strip in a raised position above the surface of the fabric hacking exposed in each elongated strip, the line of pile extending to one side of each elongated strip being substantially parallel to the line of pile extending along the other side thereof, and in which the coextensive elongated strips each provided have a longitudinal axis extending in a line gen? erally parallel to the line of movement of the pile fabric, a guiding device cooperatively interacting in guiding abutment with said coextensive elongated strips of said pile fabric in maintaining the longitudinal axis of each parallel to the direction of movement of said pile fabric, said guiding device including a frame, guide means, mounting means for attachment of said guide means to said frame in juxtapositon for sliding guiding abutment thereof with each said coextensive elongated strip of said pile fabric during movement of said pile fabric in a predetermined direction, said guide means including a first guide member and a second guide member, said first guide member being spaced apart from said second guide member in juxtaposition for movement of said pile fabric therebetween and with one guide member in sliding guiding abutment with the elongated strip on one face of the fabric hacking of the pile fabric and the other guide member in sliding guiding abutment with the other elongated strip on the opposite face of the fabric hacking of the pile fabric, each said guide member including a pair of s'ide portions spaced apart in juxtaposition so that one of each said side portions slidably abuts a line of pile extending to one side of an elongated strip of said pile fabric and a face portion extending between said side portions thereof in juxtaposition for abutrnent with the fabric hacking exposed in such elongated strip of said pile fabric.

3. The guiding of pile fabric as specified in claim 2 in which said mounting means for attachment of said guide means to said frame includes means for maintaining said guide members in a fixed position with respect to the direction of movement of said pile fabric, and means for mounting one of said guide members on said frame in juxtaposition I for Vertical movement |toward and away from the other of said guide members, and means mounted on said frame for Vertical movement of the movable one of said guide members toward and away from the other of said guide members. i

'4. The guiding of pile fabric as described fin claim 3 in which said mounting means for the movable one of said guide members includes a p'lurality of lever arms in'terconnected at one end thereof to said frame and inter- 'connected at the other end thereof to the movable one of said guide members, a ver-tical'ly extending slotted guide mounted on said frame and re-ceiving within the slotthereof the movable one of said guide members, said slot'ted guide and said lever arms being interconnected Wit'h `the movable lone of said .guide members in juxtaposit-ion to provide for Vertical rec-iprooation lthereof with respect to the fixedlone of said guide members, and a lever interconneoted with sa'id frame and abu-tting said lever 'arms intermediate mhe' in'terconnections thereof with said 'frame and the movable one of said guide members in -juxtap'osition to raise and lower the movable one of said guide members, and spring means mounted for abutment of -one end thereof With said frame and abutment of the other end thereof with the movable one, of said guide 'members in jux'taposition to urge the movable one of said ll guide members in a vertical direction toward the fixed one of said guide members.

`5. T'he guiding `of pile fabric as specified in claim 3 in which each said guide member includes an elongated body having said face portion and said pair of side portions, said side portions extending longitudina'lly parallel to one another `adjacen't one end of said body and longitudinally converging toward one another at the other end off said body in juxtaposition so that as an elongated strip of said pile fabric moves into sliding abutment therewith under a condition of misalignment of the longitudinal axis of such elongated strip in other than a generally parallel extension with respect to the direction of movement of said pile fabric the con-verging portion of one o'f said side portion's will first slidably abult the line of pile extending to one side of such elongated strip and guide such elongated strip into alignment parallel with the direction of movement of said pile fabric with the longitudinally parallel portions of said side portions each in slidable abutment with a line of pile extending to one side of such elongated strip of said pile fabric.

6. The guiding of pile `fabric as specified in claim 3 in which at least one of said guide mem'bers includes a body having a central member and spaced apart side members, each said member having a side portion, said side port'ions being spaced apart from one another in =juxta`position so that said side portion of each said side member slidably abuts a line of pile extend'ing to one side of an elongated strip of said pile fabri-c, each said side member being attached to sa-id central member in a spring-like manner so that each said side member may said frame, said switch means including a switch operating shoe mounted in juxtaposition for riding within an elongated str-ip pnior `to passage of the same between said guide members and opera'bly interconnected with said switch means for shutting off said motor in the event of engagement therewi'th of a thicker than normal portion of an elongated strip such as might occur when a seam in the pile fabric extends tr'ans'versely through an elongated strip.

10. The guiding of pile fa'br-ic as specified in claim 3 wherein cu'tter means for cutting the pile fabric `is moun'ted on said frame in j'uxtaposition to cut the pile fabric after it passes through' said guide means, said cutter means having a blade having a cutting axis in substantial a'lignment with 'the longi'tudinal axis of said coextensive elongated strips in juxtapositi-on for cutting the pile fabric substantially along the longi'tudinal axis of said elongated 'strips.

y11. 'In 'the guiding of pile fabric a's it moves in a predetermined direction for the performance of further manufacturing steps with respect thereto and in which the fiex inwardly and outwardly toward and away from said central member in juxtaposition to accommodate slight variations in the width of the elongated strip in sliding -abutrnent therewith.

7. The guiding of pile fabric as specified in claim 3 in which said face portion of 'at least one said guide mem- 'bers includes a longitudinal-ly extending slotted portion :provided in juxtaposition whereby to facilitate the un- 'folding of any longitudinally extending creases of the pile fabric which may ocur in the fabri'c hacking of the zcoextensive elongated strips therof as it moves between said guide members.

8. 'Dhe guiding ofpile f-abric as specified in claim 3 wvherein means for the performance of further manufacturing steps with respect to the pile fabric is mounted on said frame, said means being driven by a motor mounted on said frame, switch means moun'ted on said frame in juxt'aposition for operable abutment with the movable one of sa-id guide members for shutting offsaid 'motor means in the event that the m'o'vab'le one of said guide members is vertically moved more than a predetermined distance away from the fixed one of said guide members such as might occur` in the event that one of said guide members rode up over the pile adjacent the elongated slot with which such guiding member is in gu-iding abutment.

9. The guiding of pile fabric as specified in claim 3 in which means for the performance of further manufacturing steps With respect to said pile fabric is mounted on said frame, said means being motor driven by a motor mounted on said frame, and switch means mounted on pile fabric vis of the class having pile extend-ing outwardly from each face of the fabric backing thereof and an elongated strip without pile on each face of the fabr-ic back'ing of the pile fabric, the elongated strip on one 'face of the fabric hacking being coextensive with the elongated strip on the other face of the fa'bric hacking, pile ex'tending along each side of each elongated strip in a r-aised positionabove the face of the fabric hacking exposed in each elongated strip, the line of pilel extending to one side of each elongated strip being substantially parallel to the line of pile extend'ing along the other side thereof, and in which the coextensive elongated strips each provided have a longit'udinal axis extending in a line generally parallel to 'the line of move-ment off the pile fa'bnic, a guiding device cooperatively interaeting in guiding abutment with said coextensive elongated strips iof said pile'fabric in main'taining the longitudinal aXis of each parallel to the direction of movement of said p'ile fabric, said gu'iding device including a frame, guide means, mcunting for attachment of said guide means to said frame in juxtapositicn for sliding guiding abu'tlment thereof Wit'h'in each said coextensive elongated strip of said pile fabric during m'ovement of said pile fabric [in a predetermined direction, each guide means including a first guide member and a second .guide member, said first guide member being spaced apart from said 'second guide mem'ber in juxtaposition for move'rnerrt of said pile fa'bric therebet'ween, each said guide member including a pair of side pcrtions spaced apart in juxtaposition so that one of each said side portions slida'bly abuts 'the line of pile extending -to one side of an 'elongated strip of said pile fabric.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS l,696,155 12/1928 Davis 83-440 2,678,693 5/'1954 Kfuisiv 83-418 2,7l6,266 8/*1955 MacIsaac et al 26-51 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN THE GUIDING OF PILE FABRIC AS IT MOVES IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF FURTHER MANUFACTURING STEPS WITH RESPECT THERETO AND IN WHICH THE PILE FABRIC IS OF THE CLASS HAVING AN ELONGATED STRIP WITHOUT PILE, PILE EXTENDING ALONG EACH SIDE OF SUCH ELONGATED STRIP IN A RAISED POSITION ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE FABRIC BACKING EXPOSED IN SUCH ELONGATED STRIP; THE LINE OF PILE EXTENDING TO ONE SIDE OF SUCH ELONGATED STRIP BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LINE OF PILE EXTENDING ALONG THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF, AND IN WHICH SUCH ELONGATED STRIP IS PROVIDED WITH THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS THEREOF EXTENDING IN A LINE GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE PILE FABRIC, A GUIDING DEVICE COOPERATIVELY INTERACTING IN GUIDING ABUTMENT WITH SAID ELONGATED STRIP OF SAID PILE FABRIC IN MAINTAINING THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID ELONGATED STRIP PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID PILE FABRIC DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID PILE FABRIC IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION, SAID GUIDING DEVICE INCLUDING A FRAME, GUIDE MEANS, MOUNTING MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT OF SAID GUIDE MEANS TO SAID FRAME IN JUXTAPOSITION FOR SLIDING GUIDING ABUTMENT THEREOF WITHIN SAID ELONGATED STRIP OF SAID PILE FABRIC, SAID GUIDE MEANS INCLUDING A BODY HAVING A CENTRAL MEMBER AND A PAIR OF SPACED APART SIDE MEMBERS, EACH SAID SIDE MEMBER HAVING A SIDE PORTION, SAID SIDE PORTIONS BEING SPACED APART FROM ONE ANOTHER IN JUXTAPOSITION SO THAT SAID SIDE PORTION OF EACH SAID SIDE MEMBER SLIDABLY ABUTS A LINE OF PILE EXTENDING TO ONE SIDE OF SAID ELONGATED STRIP OF SAID PILE FABRIC, EACH SAID SIDE MEMBER BEING ATTACHED TO SAID CENTRAL MEMBER IN A SPRING-LIKE MANNER SO THAT EACH SAID SIDE MEMBER MAY FLEX INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID CENTRAL MEMBER IN JUXTAPOSITION TO ACCOMMODATE SLIGHT VARIATIONS IN THE WIDTH OF SAID ELONGATED STRIP, SAID BODY INCLUDING A FACE PORTION EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SIDE PORTIONS IN JUXTAPOSITION FOR SLIDABLE ABUTMENT WITH THE FABRIC BACKING EXPOSED IN SAID ELONGATED STRIP OF SAID PILE FABRIC. 